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Sunday, August 17
Harrisonburg, Va.
6:00 PM ET
Liberty University
2
at
2
James Madison
Liberty Fights Back for 2-2 Draw at James Madison
8/17/2025 10:39:00 PM | Women's Soccer
HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Lady Flames soccer team (1-0-1) netted a second-half goal to earn a 2-2 draw at James Madison (1-0-1) on Sunday night. Liberty jumped out to an early lead but trailed 2-1 at halftime at Sentara Park. Ivy Garner equalized the game in the second half, capitalizing off a save from the JMU goalkeeper that the Dukes were unable to control.
Liberty got off to another fast start after scoring in the first minute in its season opener at East Carolina on Thursday. In the fifth minute of the contest, Ivy Garner sent a cross from the far side of the field, towards the back end of the penalty area. Midfielder Avenley Monteith lost her defender and found the back of the net on the near side off her right foot.
The Dukes pushed back with two consecutive scores in the first half. A few minutes after Monteith's opening goal, JMU's Ellie Farrell tied the game in the ninth minute, receiving a pass in the center of the penalty box and finding a hole in the Liberty defense. The home team took the lead, capitalizing on a controversial no-call that led directly to a goal. VAR confirmed the goal after a brief review.
Liberty dominated possession in the second half, controlling most of the game in the offensive end. The Lady Flames broke through midway through the second half after midfielder Haley Noblit fought her way to a clean shot from a tough angle. The Dukes' goalkeeper was unable to corral the shot, leading to Ivy Garner burying the rebound to even the score. The senior has scored in both contests to begin the 2025 season.
The defense held up in the final minutes of the game despite multiple chances from the home team. With just minutes remaining in the contest, Liberty believed they secured a go-ahead goal, but Halle Engle was declared offsides on her header.
The Lady Flames open the year with a 1-0-1 record, facing opponents that claimed their conference title last season (ECU- American, JMU- Sun Belt).
Scoring Summary
5' – Liberty – Avenley Monteith (1) – Ivy Garner, Halle Engle
9' – James Madison – Ellie Farrell (1) – Selma Rodriguez
22' – James Madison – Jeannette Fieldsend (1) – Ginny Lackey
62' – Liberty – Ivy Garner – (2) – Haley Noblit
Thoughts from Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer
"They're (JMU) a really hard team to play with, they do a great job of moving off the ball. They create a lot of problems with that movement. I thought we did really well in our press, but when it broke down, they were very dangerous."
On how the team fought throughout the game
"It was fantastic to start off with that early goal, but we had a couple of unfortunate plays there and we go down two to one. The second group came in and did a good job, created a few chances in that first half, but I think the girls really stepped up in the second half. I think the majority of the play was in their end."
Lady Flames News & Notes
Up Next
Liberty (1-0-1) gets set for two contests next week, heading to Charlotte (2-0) on Thursday and holding its home opener against No. 15 Virginia (1-0) on Sunday. Thursday's contest is set for 4 p.m., with a 1 p.m. start scheduled on Sunday at Osborne Stadium. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Liberty got off to another fast start after scoring in the first minute in its season opener at East Carolina on Thursday. In the fifth minute of the contest, Ivy Garner sent a cross from the far side of the field, towards the back end of the penalty area. Midfielder Avenley Monteith lost her defender and found the back of the net on the near side off her right foot.
Getting started quickly ? off an Avenley strike ????
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) August 17, 2025
?? ESPN+ #NCAASoccer pic.twitter.com/lvBG90DE09
The Dukes pushed back with two consecutive scores in the first half. A few minutes after Monteith's opening goal, JMU's Ellie Farrell tied the game in the ninth minute, receiving a pass in the center of the penalty box and finding a hole in the Liberty defense. The home team took the lead, capitalizing on a controversial no-call that led directly to a goal. VAR confirmed the goal after a brief review.
Liberty dominated possession in the second half, controlling most of the game in the offensive end. The Lady Flames broke through midway through the second half after midfielder Haley Noblit fought her way to a clean shot from a tough angle. The Dukes' goalkeeper was unable to corral the shot, leading to Ivy Garner burying the rebound to even the score. The senior has scored in both contests to begin the 2025 season.
Ivy evens it up halfway through half 2?
— Liberty Women's Soccer (@LibertyWSoccer) August 17, 2025
?? ESPN+ pic.twitter.com/14FrPvccIp
The defense held up in the final minutes of the game despite multiple chances from the home team. With just minutes remaining in the contest, Liberty believed they secured a go-ahead goal, but Halle Engle was declared offsides on her header.
The Lady Flames open the year with a 1-0-1 record, facing opponents that claimed their conference title last season (ECU- American, JMU- Sun Belt).
Scoring Summary
5' – Liberty – Avenley Monteith (1) – Ivy Garner, Halle Engle
9' – James Madison – Ellie Farrell (1) – Selma Rodriguez
22' – James Madison – Jeannette Fieldsend (1) – Ginny Lackey
62' – Liberty – Ivy Garner – (2) – Haley Noblit
Thoughts from Head Coach Lang Wedemeyer
"They're (JMU) a really hard team to play with, they do a great job of moving off the ball. They create a lot of problems with that movement. I thought we did really well in our press, but when it broke down, they were very dangerous."
On how the team fought throughout the game
"It was fantastic to start off with that early goal, but we had a couple of unfortunate plays there and we go down two to one. The second group came in and did a good job, created a few chances in that first half, but I think the girls really stepped up in the second half. I think the majority of the play was in their end."
Lady Flames News & Notes
- Three of Liberty's five goals this season have come from midfielders. Lauren Flax and Bri Myers scored on Thursday at ECU, while Avenley Monteith opened the scoring tonight.
- Liberty outshot JMU 13-7, including a 9-3 mark in the second half. The Dukes were forced to make four saves.
- Noblit and Ivy Garner shared a game-high three shots.
- Ivy Garner leads the team with five points (2g, 1a) after the first week of the season.
- Halle Engle recorded an assist in each contest this week.
- Three Lady Flames, goalkeeper Ainsley Leja and defenders Kayla Magee and Lauren Littleton, played a full 90-minute game.
- The Lady Flames earned five corners to just two for JMU.
Up Next
Liberty (1-0-1) gets set for two contests next week, heading to Charlotte (2-0) on Thursday and holding its home opener against No. 15 Virginia (1-0) on Sunday. Thursday's contest is set for 4 p.m., with a 1 p.m. start scheduled on Sunday at Osborne Stadium. Both games will be broadcast live on ESPN+.
Players Mentioned
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F/MF
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